Coming from the state with the highest number of uninsured, Democrat Gene Green of Houston and Republican Joe Barton of Ennis are crossing partisan lines to stabilize coverage of Medicaid and CHIP and reduce patient churn.

The “Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2013” is designed to prevent patients from flowing in and out of care by implementing a continuous, 12-month enrollment policy.

Only 23 states have implemented continuous enrollment for Medicaid and 28 states for CHIP programs. Texas has continuous enrollment for CHIP, but not Medicaid.

“Enacting 12-month continuous enrollment nationwide has long been a high priority for me. In our district, we know all too well the high costs associated with limiting access to care. I am pleased to be joined by my good friend Rep. Barton in introducing this important bill that will stabilize coverage for beneficiaries and bring certainty and predictability to the system for states, insurers, and providers,” Green said.

The bill is proposed in a climate of political turmoil for healthcare in Texas. Gov. Rick Perry has been repeatedly criticized for opting out of the government’s Medicaid expansion plan. Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn have literally stood by the decision. Democrats, most notably the Castro brothers, have condemned Perry for ignoring the needs of Texans.